For Whom Does Bishop Tobin Speak?

Posted:
Thursday, July 12, 2018 12:00 am

At a recent pro-abortion rally, the words “Bishop Tobin does not speak for Rhode Island” were projected onto the façade of the Rhode Island State House. Our diocesan shepherd, because of his consistent and untiring advocacy for the unborn, is seen as a threat by those who wish to ensure the legality of abortion in our state. As pro-abortion politicians continue to reel from Justice Kennedy’s retirement and the announcement of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as President Trump’s nominee to replace him, Rhode Island lawmakers are sounding alarm bells as well.

According to the Providence Journal, Rep. Edith Ajello and Sen. Gayle Goldin have vowed to reintroduce the Reproductive Health Care Act during the next legislative season, a bill that never ended up reaching the floor this past year. Governor Raimondo has even called for a special legislative session to consider how legislators might ensure the legality of abortion in Rhode Island should Roe v. Wade be overturned. Nothing seems more effective in our contemporary political climate than manufacturing a disaster and fomenting mania over hypotheticals. Pro-abortion activists have been doing that for decades, and have successfully distracted many from the real issue at hand, which is the intentional destruction of an innocent human life. We cannot allow hysteria to carry this moment, however.

While we continue to work and pray for an eventual solution to Roe v. Wade, we must take concrete steps at the local level to oppose whatever measures are introduced to advance abortion rights in our own state. We do well to follow Bishop Tobin’s lead in that regard. It is true that Bishop Tobin does not speak for all Rhode Islanders, but he speaks for the unborn who have no voice. He speaks for those whose voices will never be heard because their lives will be cut short under the insidious guise of so-called reproductive rights. Bishop Tobin, thank you for speaking so loudly for them and for lending your voice to their cause.